Australia may ban gay marriage
2004-05-27 06:58
Sydney - Australia's conservative Prime Minister John Howard on Thursday moved to block legal recognition of same-sex marriages and stop gay couples adopting children from overseas, despite dissent within his own party.
Howard, fighting for his political life ahead of national elections due later this year, said his government would change the Marriage Act, which dates back to 1961, making it explicit that only heterosexual unions would be recognised.
"I believe in these measures, they wouldn't be coming forward if I didn't believe very strongly in them," he told reporters.
The move would close a loophole allowing Australian gay couples from having same-sex marriages conducted overseas recognised at home. Separate legislation will prevent gay couples adopting foreign children.
Howard said the government's definition of marriage was "the union of a man and a woman to the exclusion of all others voluntarily entered into for life".
The prime minister said it was "cynical" to suggest the move was an attempt to divide progressive and conservative factions within the opposition Labour Party, which comfortably leads the government in opinion polls.
Howard admitted he had to overcome objections from within his own party, saying some held "different views but the overwhelming majority of those in the party room supported it".
"Stupid politics
Sky News reported that four government politicians opposed the measures in a "fiery" party room meeting, with one, Trish Draper, labelling it "stupid politics" that would be seen as anti-gay and could result in her losing her marginal seat.
Howard also said laws governing superannuation retirement policies would be altered so people in a "financially interdependent" relationship could receive benefits if one of them died.
The move will allow same-sex couples to receive superannuation death benefits if one partner dies.
But Howard said it was not aimed exclusively at gay couples, pointing out two sisters living together in a financially interdependent relationship would also be covered.
Howard said he would like to impose an outright ban on gay couples adopting children but the constitution did not give him the power to override state governments which allow the measure.
The proposed changes will be put to parliament on Thursday and must pass the government-dominated lower house and the Senate, where minor parties hold the balance of power, before they become law.
Howard is seeking a fourth term in office in elections expected to take place in October or November.
- SAPA